Welcome to the Gospel Coalition podcast, equipping the next generation of believers,

pastors, and church leaders to shape life and ministry around the gospel.

As we celebrate the Gospel Coalition's 20th anniversary and 10th National Conference.

We want to look back to TGC's first event, a 2007 conference called Tethered to the Center.

The following is a keynote address from John Piper.

Before I read Scripture, I have a long introduction, and before I have the long introduction, I wanted to pray,

which I probably will still do. And before I pray, I wanted to say something by way of personal testimony to the faithfulness of God.

And now that Martin Lord Jones has been mentioned, I have one other thing I wanted to do.

So I will read scripture eventually.

Nobody should go without listening to Martin-L-L-Jones.

Every Monday morning, a new sermon from Martin-Loy-Jones is on the web at MLJ.org or .uK.org.

And he was the greatest preacher in the 20th century, in my opinion,

and he's available. It's astonishing that you can listen to him while you run on your treadmill every Monday morning.

And hear the greatest preaching that was in the 20th century and have it affect you.

So thank you for calling attention to the great doctor. Go there.

We are shaped by those we hear.

The other little pre-prayer introduction was, I remember back two or three occasions in my seminary

and Wheaton life when a testimony from a pastor had a profound effect on me to the effect that he loved doing what he does.

And I just want to say that I wish all of you could be preaching this message

because you would then have the extraordinary blessing that I've had in getting ready.

Because to have to say things about great things is a great privilege.

It makes you desperate. It puts you on your face. It gets your mind soaked in the word.

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