From creation to consummation, God's heart in everything he does is for God.

God has a heart for God again and again and again.

His unwavering purpose in all that he does is to magnify the worth of himself

and the glory of his name. Who is most passionate for God in all the universe? That's the question

John Piper answers in this first episode of a 10-part

series titled, A Heart for God. This sermon was originally given at Trinity Baptist Church

in Wheaton, Illinois on September 18, 1988. I would like to put tonight's message in the context of a word from the Lord Jesus

and try to explain what I think I'm here for in the next several days.

And the word is from Matthew 24, verse 11, and it goes like this. Many false

prophets will arise and deceive many. And because lawlessness is multiplied, the love of many

will grow cold. In other words, the flame of love is going to flicker in the lives of many people and

hearts are going to get colder and colder with less and less affection for God and for each

other as evil and lawlessness spread toward the end of the age. So I think that I'm here to fan the flames

of affection for God in your heart, which the atmosphere around us is threatening every day.

This morning's message at my church was based on a text in Hebrews 10, which I hadn't seen

the connection before with what I just read.

That verse goes like this.

In Hebrews 10, 24, let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit of

some, but encouraging one another. And all the more, can you finish it? As you see the day. Do you see

the connection? All the more meet to stir each other up to, because as the day comes, the day of the Lord

comes, things, as Jesus said, are going to become so bad that many hearts will grow cold.

The love of many will grow cold.

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