God is angry every day at the unrighteous.

Well, that isn't itch anybody's ears.

Nobody's going to accumulate you for their pastorate, perhaps, unless God gives you a way to preach that truth in such a way as to awaken felt needs, that correspond to real needs,

that then get met and lead to everlasting joy.

There are some verses in the Bible that just don't play well in today's culture.

God is angry every day at the unrighteous is one of them.

But Piper doesn't avoid it.

He shows how when you truly understand it,

a hard truth like this one is the only way to true joy.

I'm Dan Kruver. In this episode of Light and Truth,

John Piper gives us the courage to speak hard words

with humble hope.

This message was originally delivered

in Wheaton, Illinois at the Act III Reformation Conference on October 28, 1999.

Verse 3 of 1 Timothy 4, and this is my first reason for why the issue of courage is on my

front burner, most places where I'm going these days, as well as the Bethlehem

conference is all about courage this coming February.

It's called courage in the Christian ministry.

The verses, verse three of chapter four, the time is coming when people will not endure sound

teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings

and will turn away from listening to the truth.

Well, that bodes ill for you.

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