Chapter 9| Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 9|THE MAJESTY OF CHRIST IN MISSIONS AND MERCY

A small group resource for students studying Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.

Sometimes small-talk at airports turns into 'big talk.'

"What was the purpose of the trip?"

I responded, "It was a missions trip. I was scoping out a couple of opportunities to bring a team of young adults over and minister to the orphans of Kenya."

"Was it your first time here," he asked?

"Yeah," I said.

He replied, "I've been coming to Africa for thirty-plus years, but I always remember the first time... the sights and smells and sounds will never leave you."

5 years later they still haven't left me.

Since that initial trip to Africa I have often wrestled with God about missions. I want to go. He seems to make me stay. That trip wasn't my first missions trip, but it was significant. It gave me a lens through which I view the world. The lens that I am talking about is the global purposes of Christ. This chapter hopefully will give you the same lens.

Nearly 3 years after that trip to Africa, I responded to God's call to serve at Central Christian in Beloit, Wisconsin... I definitely put some strings on the deal, "God if you expect me to stay put in one place, if you want me to pour myself out in preaching the Word to this young generation to build them up in faith, if you want me here, well then you had better raise up some kids that I can send!" My prayer as you read this chapter is that maybe you are one of those we can send... and at very least I pray that God will give you a passion for His plan to evangelize people from every tribe tongue and nation.

"The ultimate aim of world missions is that God would create, by His Word, worshipers who glorify His name through glad-hearted faith and obedience. Missions exists because worship doesn't." (pg. 162, quoting Bethlehem Baptist Document on Missions). Missions is what God is up to in the world right now... If you want to know why He has taken so stinkin' long in returning, it is because He is infinitely patient and He desires that none should perish. He is calling to Himself a seemingly countless number of worshipers (Rev 5). His desire for us is that we would join in the efforts. When we think salvation is merely a story about us and focus on our benefits, we miss the big picture. Piper says, "We are like batboys at Yankee Stadium who think the great point of the World Series is to hand the players a bat" (pg. 163). What God is up to is much greater than a bat being handed off... He is at work in the world calling men and women to eternal joy. We want to be about His purposes.

To be fair not all will go... Some of us have to stay :( But it would be wrong not to withdraw and pray over this issue. Like Piper, I also take inventory regularly to see if I am where I am most effectively serving Christ in the cause of making others eternally glad in Him (pg. 178,179). It is important to me that I am either sending or going. So I pray, "God is this where you want me?" I want to constantly be willing to go where God sends me. I hope you will develop the same desire. Let me add though that God does value permanence. He wants people that will commit to plans and places. How sad it would be if every missionary went for a season and returned right when God might have been pleased to reap a harvest.... Missionaries need to give their lives to a region. Sometimes this means you will never step on American soil again. Like the great missionary Adoniram Judson.

Let me quote Adoniram Judson's letter to his potential father in law. In this letter he is asking for permission to marry this man's daughter and take her to the mission field. Let's change the tone of letter though... Let us imagine this letter being addressed to us. Do we consent to our loved ones giving their lives to missions? Would we be okay seeing our friends go? And, would we ourselves go?

I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean, to the fatal influence of the southern climate of Indian; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all of this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of the perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in the hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair? (pg. 158)

Would we be willing to consent that this is the greatest cause which men and women can give their lives to? We have three options... we either go, or we send, or we disobey.

Chapter 8 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 8|MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST FROM 8 TO 5

A small group resource for students studying Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Wouldn't it be incredible to live in constant state of summer vacation? No homework, no plan, no work... just pure bliss...

Actually the bible seems to indicate that we would be extremely unsatisfied without work (even though many of you might reply, "let me try!"). The bible actually makes a clear case for the importance of work and how we use it for the glory of God. Piper takes up his bible and pen once again to convince us to work for the glory of God.

While we are exploring this chapter I want you to extract the principle behind working for the glory of God. It would be a mistake to mentally check out before you finish the chapter because you are in school and don't have a job. The concept in this chapter is big enough to sweep you up into the conversation. The way you do your school work is under this concept, the yard project that you may work on this spring is included, the chores at home are in too, the group project for your AP class is in, and many other activities we do can be called work. So stick with this chapter to see that you have a call to make Jesus famous with the way you do your work.

It is important at the outset to say that both secular and Christian work can and does make Jesus famous. We need to fight the urge to call pastors and missionaries professional Christians and to think of other jobs as insignificant. We are all called to work for Christ and there is no distinction between pastor and layperson. "Martin Luther recaptured the biblical teaching of the priesthood of every Christian and blasted the spiritual line between clergy and laity" (pg. 132,133). We are all a part of the priesthood that speaks of Christ. And all of our work can be holy and pleasing to God. "Our ditches are to be dug straight, our pipe-fittings are not to leak, our cabinet corners should be flush, our surgical incisions should be clean, our word processing accurate and appealing, and our meals nutritious and attractive, because God is a God of order and beauty and competence" (pg. 141). When we work like that our work is just as pleasing to God as the work of a youth pastor studying and writing an article for his students (wink). Every project becomes an opportunity to glorify God and call men and women to Him when we work for His glory.

Now let us explore six ways that Piper gives in which we can use work to glorify God.

1. We make much of God in our secular job through the fellowship we enjoy with him throughout the day in all our work (pg. 136).

As Christians we have the unique ability to take God to work with us through prayer. When we utilize that experience we are working alongside of God and this brings us joy and Him glory. Piper gives us a threefold explanation: God is with us in work, we can constantly breath out praises to Him, and we can meditate on the promises of His word while we work. "In this way we fellowship with God, listening to Him through His word and thanking Him and praising Him and calling on Him for all we need" (pg. 138).

2. We make much of Christ in our secular work by joyful, trusting, God-exalting design of our creativity and industry (pg. 138).

Through our creativity and industry we can show the world what God is like. Piper says, "Being in the image of God means at least that we should image forth God. We should reflect what He is really like" (pg. 139). We have the opportunity to do this through the creativity and productivity of our work. Keep in mind, Piper says, "work is a good, God-like thing" (pg. 139). Work is not a curse, it is a blessing and an opportunity to demonstrate what God is like.

3. We make much of Christ in our secular work when it confirms and enhances the portrait of Christ's glory that people hear in the spoken gospel (pg. 142).

The way we work can serve as an piece of beautiful jewelry being worn by the gospel that we profess. "Our work is not the beautiful woman, but the necklace. The beautiful woman is the Gospel" (pg. 143).

4. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning enough money to keep us from depending on others, while focusing on the helpfulness of our work rather than the financial rewards (pg. 144).

You are designed to provide for yourself in reliance of the strength God gives you. We are dependent on Him but we are called to be workers and providers. "Work with your hands ... so that you may ... be dependent on no one" (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). Again Paul later writes to the same people whom he heard were not working, "If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies" (2 Thessalonians 3:10, 11). Piper says it like this, "Able-bodied people who choose to live in idleness and eat the fruit of another's sweat are in rebellion against God's design" (pg. 147).

5. We make much of Christ in our secular work by earning money with the desire to use our money to make others glad in God (pg. 150).

Ultimately, we work not to gain more stuff, but to demonstrate God's goodness and to provide for those in need. "You can steal to have. Or you can work to have. Or you can work to have to give. When the third option comes from joy in God's goodness, it makes Him look great in the world" (pg. 151).

6. We make much of Christ in our secular work by treating the web of relationships it creates as a gift of God to be loved by sharing the Gospel and by practical deeds of help (pg. 151).

Most importantly, work gives us a platform to share the Gospel. "No nice feelings about you as a good employee will save anyone. People must know the Gospel, which is the power of God unto eternal life" (pg. 152). We must speak the Gospel to our coworkers, customers, and friends. Work gives us a platform from which we can do that.

Work is a beautiful opportunity to display the majesty of Christ. It is not a means to get loot to get more stuff. It is not the way that you can get rich so you can be happy. Ultimately, work unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) is a beautiful act of worship to God.

Do you do your homework in a way that teachers notice your hard work, creativity, and excellence?

Are your chores done in a way that you would want to show them off to Jesus? Sheets neatly tucked in, clothes put away, trash completely picked up and neatly placed on the curb etc...

Do you enjoy God while you are working by inviting Him to be a part of it through prayer and praise?

Would coworkers give you an ear for you to speak the Gospel based on your hard work, attitude, and effort?

or,

Would the Gospel seem out of line because of inconsistencies of your character, slacking-off, cutting corners, and general laziness?

God, help us to work for your glory in way that displays your goodness. And, when you tell us to speak give us courage to proclaim the Gospel with our words, having already lived out the effects of the gospel with our conduct. Amen

Chapter 7 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 7|LIVING TO PROVE HE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN LIFE

A small group resource for student reading Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

This chapter sounds the same note that has been struck at youth group over the past couple weeks. The truth about Jesus that we talk and sing about should change our lives. Our lives should have a noticeable difference as a result of the gospel. Piper opens the chapter by saying it this way, "To make others glad in God with everlasting gladness, our lives must show that he is more precious than life" (pg. 107 emphasis added). In other words, if we truly value Jesus Christ, then our decisions will reflect that value. Our lives and our possessions will not be our treasure (because Christ is), and others will see that we put our hope in something greater, namely Christ. The idea is that our lives should be an indicator of how great our God is. We should be pointing people to God. This means our lives will look different than the lives of our un-believing friends.

"If Christ is an all-satisfying treasure and promises to provide all our needs, even through famine and nakedness, then to live as though we had all the same values as the world would betray him" (pg. 107). Piper has in mind here both money and possessions. "If we want to make people glad in God, our lives must look as if God, not possessions, is our joy" (pg. 111).

How can we do this? What sort of mindset will it take to help us accurately view our money and possessions? Piper offers us the useful terminology of "Wartime Lifestyle." Which he reminds us that we need to constantly revisit:

"I need to hear this message again and again because I slip into a peace time mind-set as certainly as rain falls down and flames go up. I am wired to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth "home." Before you know it, I am calling luxuries "needs" and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don't think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness. And I thank God for those that have forced me again and again towards a wartime mind-set" (pg. 112)

This is a helpful mindset to remind us to be on mission with Jesus. It is all too easy to settle into routine and forget that Christ enlists us into His Kingdom work. "A wartime lifestyle implies that there is a great and worthy cause for which to spend and be spent" (pg. 114). Then Piper gives many illustrations to help us grasp the nature of the cause. He even points out that sinners give themselves devotedly to causes, so we should be all the more eager to give ourselves unreservedly to the greatest cause ever, the cause of Christ!

But, we can easily be hindered from full on enlistment. Piper offers two distractions... television and clothes. Unfortunately there are way more than two distractions but it helps us to think through these two. With television (and I will throw internet into this discussion too), it is far too easy to waste our lives in front of the monitor. We may not be watching or viewing inappropriate content, but the sheer amount deadens us to the realities of life and the urgency of our mission. The quote from Douglas Groothuis was fascinating and convicting:

The images appear and disappear and reappear without a proper rationale context. An attempt at a sobering news story about slavery in the Sudan is followed by a lively advertisement for Disneyland, followed by an appeal to purchase panty hose that will make any woman irresistible, etc., ad nauseum" (pg. 122).

I was reminded of how much this occurs as we surf facebook and blogs. Many times throughout the day I will read jolly posts from my friends, then click over to some devastating issue addressed in a blog or news site like the death of missionaries, then look at my phone to view a text from my soon to be wife, and unfortunately I cannot process that I should be saddened over the devastating news, or laugh at the facebook post, or smile because of the text. It is simply too much. So, I go into a catatonic state that usually takes me 30 minutes to shake once I leave the office. Then, imagine getting a phone call from someone in need of ministry!? I am hardly fit to take the call!

The other issue that Piper raises is how young people view their clothes, which actually stems from a much larger issue of desperately wanting a noticeable self-identity... or wanting to be cool. "What a tragedy to see so many young people obsessed with what they wear and how thy look" (pg. 126). I know Piper is much older than even some of your parents and maybe you could view him as 'old-fashioned.' So let me point you to some young people raising the same issue. Alex and Bret Harris from therebelution.com have written much on modesty. You can read an article on modesty here.

Piper's prayer for us is in this regard is priceless:

"O God, who will get in their face and give them something to live for? They waste their days in a trance of insignificance, trying to look cool or talk cool or walk cool. They don't have a clue what cool is" (pg. 128).

Our desire is that you think through not only TV, internet, and clothing, but EVERYTHING you do. We want you to really evaluate whether or not your life points people to Christ. So let us end with some questions:

Do you treasure Christ?

Do your decisions reflect that you treasure Christ?

Would friends or coworkers have any reason to ask for the hope that you have?

or,

Are you an undercover Christian that looks exactly like everyone else?

Will Christ be ashamed of you before His Father (because you have been ashamed of Him before men)?

We pray that you live up to the calling which Christ has placed on you.

Chapter 6 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 6|THE GOAL OF LIFE--GLADLY MAKING OTHERS GLAD IN GOD

A small group resource for CSM students that are studying John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life book.

As tricky as this chapter may seem, the concept is actually quite simple. We will state the main concept upfront as an attempt to give us the right lenses to read the chapter with...

The goal of life is to help people fall in love with Jesus.

It is through a right relationship with Jesus that we experience the greatest joys in life. Therefore, it is right of us to consider how we might help others experience that joy.

The chapter starts with a plea to be forgiving. Piper says, "If you are wired to see other people's faults and failures and offenses, and treat them roughly, you will not take risk for their joy" (pg. 99). The idea is that to truly love others we must be able to look past their faults and extend grace to those in need. This means we look past the sins of our family members, no matter how terrible those sins may be, and forgive them. We look past the faults of our fellow classmates and forgive, even if it is extremely difficult. It is a radical concept but to show the love of Christ to others we must be willing to lay down our unforgiving and critical spirit. What grudges are you still holding?

But where can this sort of insane forgiveness come from? What is the source of this forgiveness? It comes from understanding the grace that was extended to us in the gospel. "We have been forgiven by God when we did not deserve it" (pg. 100). It is a beautiful truth that God pardons our sins and forgives us as Piper points out:

"Forgiveness is essentially God's way of removing the great obstacle of fellowship with him. By cancelling our sin and paying for it with the death of His own Son, God opens the for us to see Him and know Him and enjoy Him forever" (pg. 100).

That sort of forgiven-ness is the source of our infinite joy. This joy that we experience is not meant to be kept to ourselves. We are to share it. The bible says of it, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Therefore, it is not only appropriate but right to extend that same sort of forgiveness to others. And the motive as Piper points out "for being a forgiving person is the joy of being freely and joyfully at home with God." When we forgive we are acting inline with the character of God and drawing people to Him. Even more, we ourselves are gaining closer fellowship with Him. We are in good company when we forgive, the company of God. So everybody wins when we are forgiving. We win, the people we forgive win (they get forgiven by us and God), and even God wins! Forgiveness is a powerful thing.

Christians should be marked by a generous, merciful, and forgiving spirit. It should be normal for a Christian to act graciously toward others. In fact, Piper quotes Robert Murray M'Chynne to say that if you are not generous and compassionate, you should be concerned (pg. 102). Piper goes on to say that if we are truly living for the glory of God then "we live to make others glad in God" (pg. 102). It is our calling. It is our greatest task. We are called to share the love of Christ with those in need. "If we experience forgiveness as the free and undeserved gift of joy in God, then we will be carried by this joy, with love, into a world of sin and suffering" (pg. 101). Our goal in life is "gladly making others glad in Christ." Piper does not mean that we simply invite someone to church, or have a conversation with a friend about Jesus, or simply hand out an evangelistic track. Our desire is to see the fullness of the message of Christ expressed in their lives:

"When I speak of the gladness in God, therefore, I mean gladness that has roots in God's eternal decree, was purchased by the blood of Christ, springs up in the newborn heart because of God's Spirit, awakens in repentance and faith, constitutes the essence of sanctification and Christlikeness, and gives rise to a life of love and a passion for redeeming the world after the image of God. Gladness in God is a massive reality planned and purchased and produced by God in the lives of His elect for the glory of His name" (pg. 104, 105).

Now lets touch this thing down on our soil... So our goal in life is to share the joy of Christ with people at our schools? ...YES! God is enlisting us into the joys of sharing His joy with others. We are supposed to be a people so overwhelmed with Him that we share Him with others.

Do you desire to be a part of that colossal plan?

Do you feel so overwhelmed by the love of God that you want to share it?

What keeps you from sharing that joy in God with others?

Chapter 5 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 5|RISK IS RIGHT-BETTER TO LOSE YOUR LIFE THAN TO WASTE IT

small group resource for groups studying John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life

As I re-read these chapters I am flooded with emotions surrounding some massive work God did on me in February of 2007. After a surgery on my ACL and months of wrestling with God over how unfair His ways can seem (particularly for someone trying to serve Him), I begrudgingly went to a Passion Conference from Jan 1st through the 5th of 2007. It was there that I was introduced to the teachings of two very important saints in my Christian development, Francis Chan and John Piper. After the conference I downloaded a ton of their sermons and bought Piper's book DWYL. A couple short weeks later I boarded a plane for Nairobi Kenya and set off for a month long journey to serve the orphans in the slums of Africa. I brought with me my copy of DWYL.

It was on the plane ride home that I read the majority of the book (two 8 hr flights). I remember how much the content of DWYL resonated with my recent experiences. I had just spent a month with missionaries that had given up the comforts of my home town, Roscoe, IL to move to a far away land. Was their risk right? Was it right to peal their two boys away from a good public school system and make them grow up in danger? We will see as we explore this chapter.

The reason why this chapter is so important to us as a youth group, is because it flies in the face of conventional wisdom. It swims upstream against the currents of culture that tell you to play it safe. Most of the influences on you in the next years will tell you the opposite of this chapter. Unfortunately, parents too will beg you not to risk. Family, friends, teachers, and media will all plea with you that you go to school, find a nice person to settle down with, get into a career that you enjoy, buy a home in a gated or safe community and live the good life. Christ calls us to something greater.

I want to point out a concern before we go any further. Piper addresses it halfway through this chapter but I want to raise the flag earlier. The problem is that it is sexy to be a risk taker. I do not want to encourage these thoughts at all. Piper calls it, "risking for the wrong reasons" (pg. 90). I think that at your age you have to be careful of your motives and test your heart. The reason for taking risk is not self-exultation. Instead, risking for Christ is only appropriate when we are called to the task. Piper goes on to say, "risk for the cause of God is not heroism, or the lust for adventure, or the courage of self-reliance, or the need to earn God's good will, but rather faith in the all-providing, all-ruling, all-satisfying Son of God, Jesus Christ" (pg. 90). Faith in Jesus is the only pure motivator in our risk. If you are motivated to risk for any other reason, then you should draw back and reconsider.

Now that we have outlined the pitfalls of risk, let's examine if we are called to the task. What is risk? Piper defines it as "any action that exposes you to the possibility of loss" (pg. 79). He then goes on to explain that there is no way to escape risk. "Risk is a mirage. It doesn't exist" (pg. 81). There is no such thing as playing it safe. You can live in a gated community and protect yourself from as many dangers as possible, but there are still uncertainties. You could slip getting out of the shower and break your neck. You could get blind-sided while driving to school. You could catch a cold that leads to your death. Ultimately, safety is a myth.

Piper goes on to demonstrate the uncertainties of life and the power of risking in the story line of the Bible. He uses the story of Joab from 2 Samuel 10, the story of Esther, and the story of the three Hebrews from Daniel... I do not want to spoil these powerful illustrations of risk for you so be ready to get rocked. Essentially, characters in the bible are willing to put their trust in God (take a risk) even though they are uncertain of the outcome. Does that accurately describe you?

Furthermore, the call to Christianity is the call to a life of risk. In the history of Christianity it has been normal that Christians suffer and die for their faith. Is that a risk worth taking? In the eyes of Paul it certainly was. "I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). In addition, "Paul says that the love of Christ does not eliminate our suffering. On the contrary, our very attachment to Christ will bring suffering" (pg. 92). To associate with Christ is to risk your life and to suffer persecution. "In fact, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted" (2 Tim 3:12).

What of the promises in the Bible? What of the promise that "we are more than conquerors?" (Romans 8:37) Or the promise from Matthew 5 that if we seek first the kingdom we will be given all these things- meaning comforts like clothes, food, and other necessities? Piper calls to attention the paradox of these promises:

""Well, which is it?" we might ask. Are Christians subject to "famine and nakedness" or will God provide "all these things" when we need them? Will Christians never hunger or starve or be ill-clothed? Have not some of the greatest saints in the world been stripped and starved? What about Hebrews 11:37-38? ...What, then, does Jesus mean when he says, "all these things-all your food and clothing- will be added to you when you seek first his kingdom? He meant that you will have everything you need to do his will and be eternally and supremely happy in him." (pg. 93, 94 emphasis added)

It gets even better! The risks that we take for Christ that lead to suffer loss actually achieve for us a gain. "This slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Piper illustrates how our hardships and enemies can become more than conquered: "The aim of the attacker is to destroy you, and cut you off from Christ, and bring you to final ruin without God. You are a conqueror if you defeat this aim and remain in the love of Christ" (pg. 96). Paul's life illustrates to us how this works:

[Paul's conflict] "has been taken captive, so to speak. It has been enslaved and made to serve Paul's everlasting joy. "Affliction" the former enemy, is now working for Paul. It is preparing for Paul "an eternal weight of glory." His enemy is now his slave. He has not only conquered his enemy. He has more than conquered him." (pg. 97)

Risk is right for the believer. It is appropriate for us to lay down our rights for the greater cause of Christ. Even if the result is hunger, cold, nakedness, or even pain. It was right for my friends to move to Kenya to minister to orphans and widows. There risk does not go unnoticed. Their risk is earning for them "an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison!"

Are you willing to risk for Christ's sake?

What risk do you consider too great for the cause of Christ?

Is there any specific risk Jesus might be calling you to this week?

Chapter 4 | Don't Waste Your Life

Chapter 4|MAGNIFYING CHRIST THROUGH PAIN AND DEATH

A resource for small groups going through the book Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper.

Since I have been on staff at Central Christian Church, there have been several deaths that have directly affected our youth group. Grandparents eventually fade, loved ones' health fails, suicide has taken three young lives, natural disasters have come, and tragedy happens. Not only has our group experienced death, we have also seen sickness and pain. Hardship is a reality of life. That is why getting this concept deep in your soul is critically important to prepare you for life's difficulties.

I remember how much this chapter affected me three years ago. As I read, my eyes were opened to the concept of suffering for Christ. Ashley (my beautiful future wife) began to say, "You love suffering!" Which is an untrue statement but I do love that I can show how much I cherish Christ when I suffer. This concept has impacted me personally and has marked the way we have done ministry at CSM.

It should be no surprise that CSM has attempted to prepare you for suffering. That is why when CSM took over "big church" last fall, we took as our topic, "Why Suffer?" And, we continue to revisit this idea month after month.

Now for the task at hand: chapter 4. The point of the chapter is that the way we respond to suffering can do one of two things. Our response to suffering can either belittle Jesus and be a waste, or, it can show how much we adore Jesus. Following Jesus is difficult and filled with hardships. Piper starts the chapter by saying, "Living to magnify Christ is costly," and goes on to say, "[Jesus'] beauty shines most brightly when treasured above health and wealth and life itself" (pg. 61) The idea is that God gives us an opportunity to display how much we love Christ when we go through difficulties. Do we love Christ more than we love our comfort?

Piper looks to Paul as our example of a person who understands this. Paul was able to sit in a dark prison cell while uncertain of his outcome and say, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21) The question that arises from Paul's radical statement is this; 'how does dying become a gain?' The answer is that when we die, we go to be with Jesus. And when He is your desire, then death means gain. I love the series of questions that follow:

"Really? Better than all the friends at school? Better than falling in love? Better than hugging your children? Better than professional success? Better than retirement and grandchildren?" (Pg. 67)

And we could add to the list many other things... Better than getting your drivers' license? Better than holding your crush's hand? Better than winning the tournament? Better than getting a good grade on a difficult exam? Better than summer vacation? Better than a road trip? Better than seeing your favorite band at a concert? The answer according to Piper and the Bible; "Yes. A thousand times better" (pg. 67).

When we can say with Paul that death would be gain, then we have come to a point where life is gain too! To die is gain but also, "to live is Christ!" Piper puts it like this, "If we learn to die like this, we will be ready to live. And if we don't, we will waste our lives" (pg. 69). If you consider Christ a treasure worthy of dying to be with, then your every day life can be lived in service to Him.

"Daily Christian living, means daily Christian dying" (pg. 71). Following Jesus means that we 'take up our crosses [die to ourselves] daily.' It means that we recognize Christ has a better plan for our lives than we do for ourselves. We submit to His plan even if it leads us to make HUGE sacrifices. He knows better. So, following Him is gain.

Here is a magnificent truth about Christian suffering; "How we handle loss shows who our treasure is" (pg. 72). When struggles come and difficulty strikes, your attitude reveals what you really care about. If your treasure is your comfort or your possessions, then losing them will crush you. However, if your treasure is Jesus Christ, then your greatest reward can never be taken from you. Even if everything else is.

"God's glory shines more brightly when he satisfies us in times of loss than when he provides for us in times of plenty... The world is not impressed when Christians get rich and say thanks to God. They are impressed when God is so satisfying that we give our riches away for Christ and count it gain" (pg. 72,73).

We have the ability to reveal our treasure through our struggles. Our friends may ask how we can be joyful even in the midst of loss. Then we can show them it is because our treasure is Christ, and we will never lose Him.

Bottom line is everyone who follows Christ will suffer. The Bible puts it this way, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Hardship is coming.

What a tragic waste when people turn away from the Calvary road of love and suffering. All the riches of the glory of God in Christ are on that road. All the sweetest fellowship with Jesus is there. All the treasures of assurance. All the ecstasies of joy... They are all on the Calvary road where Jesus walks with his people. Take up your cross and follow Jesus. On this road, and this road alone, life is Christ and death is gain. Life on every other road is wasted (pg. 76,77)

Here are a couple questions to ask ourselves after processing this chapter.

1) What are some of the things that I would have the hardest time giving up?

2) Do I really think that Christ is better than those things?

3) Pray that God would reveal Christ as a greater treasure than (fill in the blank)__________. Pray also that you would be prepared to magnify Christ in pain and suffering.

Don't Waste Your Life| Small Groups

It has come to my attention that some students in small groups are struggling through the study of "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. I know it is a tough read. We have several freshmen whose heads are spinning after reading a chapter. I want to encourage each of you to keep going! Press on. Read slow, think hard, and the reward will be great! This is one of the most phenomenal books I have ever read and it shaped my Christianity.

I also want to let you know I am not going to leave you with no help. My aim is to help you grow in Christ. My aim is not to frustrate you and cause you to give up. So, to help process some of this tough info, I will blog through the chapters of DWYL and try to simplify and apply it to us. Even if you are not in a small group, I challenge you to get a copy and follow along!

This should be a journey!

Oh! One more thing: I will start at Chapter 4 because that is where two of our groups are currently at. My hope will be to do chapters 1, 2, and 3 as well in the near future.