

Light + Truth
Desiring God
Classic sermons from John Piper to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Five days a week, 20 minutes per episode. Hosted by Dan Cruver.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 27min
Why Faith Bears Fruit
Join John Piper, a Reformed pastor and author known for his deep theological insights, as he dives into the transformational power of faith. He explores how faith inevitably leads to good works and counters fears and greed through a future-oriented trust in God's promises. Piper highlights how delighting in Christ liberates us from sin and produces a life marked by love. He challenges common views on gratitude as a motive for obedience, arguing that a forward-looking faith inspires true sacrificial living.

Oct 7, 2025 • 23min
Faith That Fights
John Piper, a revered Reformed pastor and founder of Desiring God, shares profound insights on how faith combats sin. He dives into the essence of saving faith and its transformative power, emphasizing future grace as pivotal for Christian living. Piper illustrates how faith leads to holiness and love while valuing Christ above all else. He argues that sin’s allure lies in false promises, countered by the superior joy in God. Listeners are equipped with practical reminders to resist temptation through God’s love and joy.

Oct 6, 2025 • 26min
Faith That Works
In this engaging discussion, John Piper, a renowned pastor and author known for his insights on Christian faith, explores the vibrant relationship between faith and daily living. He emphasizes that God is glorified when we find joy in Him and illustrates this with an endearing anniversary story. Piper argues that true worship should stem from delight rather than duty. He connects joy in faith to love and holiness, highlighting that genuine faith inevitably leads to good works as evidence of our relationship with God.

8 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 22min
The Strength of Godward Joy
John Piper, a renowned theologian and author, passionately discusses the significance of joy in God as a source of strength. He explores the concept of Christian hedonism, emphasizing that delighting in God magnifies His glory. Delving into Nehemiah 8:10, Piper illustrates how joy is intertwined with obedience and ministry. He insists that pursuing joy can enrich spiritual labor and invites listeners to seek evidence of God’s beauty in daily practices. Piper also warns against idolizing worship experiences, urging a balance of theology and heartfelt devotion.

Oct 2, 2025 • 33min
From the Solar System to the Soul
Can God prioritize his own glory while caring for us? John Piper dives into this thought-provoking question, revealing how God's self-exaltation is rooted in love. He likens life to a solar system where God must remain the center, ensuring all 'planets' stay in orbit. The discussion highlights how true enjoyment of God overflows in praise, linking joy and fulfillment to divine love. Piper argues that God's glory and our satisfaction are intertwined, presenting self-exaltation as the ultimate expression of love.

Oct 1, 2025 • 27min
Humbled Yet Held: Simeon’s Secret Strength
Explore the profound connection between brokenness and love for God through the lens of Charles Simeon’s life. John Piper discusses how humility and adoration can coexist beautifully. He contrasts Simeon’s humble embrace of humiliation with society's inclination to avoid shame. The ballast metaphor illustrates how deep contrition stabilizes spiritual experiences. The podcast highlights that true forgiveness fosters love, urging listeners to see God's mercy as a catalyst for deeper devotion, supported by personal cleansing and perseverance through trials.

Sep 30, 2025 • 27min
A Mind Captive to Every Word
What fuels deep spiritual strength? Discover how Charles Simeon's devotion to Scripture shaped his life and pastoral trials. Explore how he preferred being biblical over complex theological labels. Hear about his humble spirit toward opponents and his clear preaching on controversial texts. John Piper highlights Simeon's commitment to letting Scripture speak without bias and the importance of a broken heart in understanding it. Find out how daily devotion transformed Simeon's life, providing solace in times of distress.

Sep 29, 2025 • 27min
When Guilt Gave Way to Grace
Dive into the transformative journey of Charles Simeon, where fear shifts to grace. Discover how his guilt led to profound self-examination and ultimately, hope through Christ. Explore the historical backdrop of 18th-century England and what made Simeon’s ministry so impactful. Hear anecdotes from his 54-year pastorate that highlight perseverance and faithfulness. The podcast beautifully connects Simeon’s remarkable conversion with contemporary testimonies, showcasing God's enduring power to save and inspire.

Sep 26, 2025 • 25min
The Treasure Greater Than Riches
Join John Piper, a Reformed pastor and founder of Desiring God, as he dives into Luke 19:1–10 to reveal the transformative power of joy in Christ. He explores Zacchaeus' dramatic change from greed to generosity after encountering Jesus, highlighting how true joy displaces the love of wealth. Piper also links Zacchaeus' story to broader themes of spiritual kinship and the mission of Christ to seek the lost. This is a compelling call to embrace Jesus as the ultimate treasure, encouraging listeners to break free from worldly attachments.

Sep 25, 2025 • 23min
Seeking the Lost
In this discussion, John Piper, a renowned Reformed pastor and theologian, dives deep into Luke 19, focusing on Jesus' mission to seek the lost. He reveals the surprising story of Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector whose quest for Jesus was driven more by curiosity than faith. Piper explores why Jesus chose to dine with sinners, highlighting the joy in repentance and the importance of reaching out to the marginalized. He encourages bold outreach strategies, urging listeners to creatively connect with those often deemed unreachable.