ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

John Piper will attempt to answer these questions:

1. What do we mean by the word “meaning”?

2. How do we use the word “meaning” in these LABS?

3. Specifically, what is the “meaning” of a written text?

Answer: The meaning of a text is what the author intended to communicate by his words.

Reason #1: The Bible assumes it. The Bible assumes that we are thinking of the “meaning” of texts as what the author intended to communicate.

Scripture References
1 Corinthians 5:9-11, John 21:20-23, John 11:11-14

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.

ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

1. God created us for his glory.

2. Therefore, it is man’s joyful duty to live for the glory of God.

3. All of us have failed to glorify God as we should.

4. We are thus found to be dead in our trespasses and under God’s just condemnation.

5. God sent his Son to save sinners from their hopeless condition of deadness and condemnation, and bring us to God, our eternal joy.

6. All the benefits purchased by Christ, in dying and rising again, belong to those who are united to him by faith. You cannot work for them. They are a free gift. If you have Christ as your Savior, Lord and Treasure, you have everything in him.

What does this mean?

The benefits of salvation, eternal life, being in the presence of God, being spared the punishment we deserve for our sin, belong to those who believe in Jesus Christ by faith and faith alone. You cannot buy it. You cannot work for it.

They are a free gift. Jesus payed for it with his life for you.

Will you accept it?

Scripture References
2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Acts 16:30-31, John 6:35, John 1:11-13, Romans 4:4-5, Acts 3:19, Isaiah 55:1-3, Revelation 22:17

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.

ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

1. God created us for his glory.

2. Therefore, it is man’s joyful duty to live for the glory of God.

3. All of us have failed to glorify God as we should.

4. We are thus found to be dead in our trespasses and under God’s just condemnation.

5. God sent his Son to save sinners from their hopeless condition of deadness and condemnation,

   and bring us to God, our eternal joy.

What does this mean?

The greatest news in all the world is that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sin. Our spiritual inner condition of being dead is overcome and we are made alive in Christ. Also, our legal condition of guilt and condemnation is remedied by a just penalty being poured out on Jesus on our behalf. This allows us to be brought home to God, our eternal joy.

Part 6 of this series will answer the final question: How can I have all of this and be saved?

Scripture References
1 Timothy 1:15, John 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Isaiah 53:5-6, 1 Peter 2:24, Galatians 3:13, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:1, 1 Peter 3:18, Psalm 16:11

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.

ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

1. God created us for his glory.

2. Therefore, it is man’s joyful duty to live for the glory of God.

3. All of us have failed to glorify God as we should.

4. We are thus found to be dead in our trespasses and under God’s just condemnation.

What does this mean?

Our spiritual (moral) condition is that we are dead. We are dead inside to spiritual things. Our legal condition is that we are under God’s just condemnation (wrath).

Scripture References
Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Genesis 18:25, Acts 17:30-31, Matthew 25:31-46, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.

ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

Why is it so hard to read the Bible sometimes? In this video, Pastor John Piper will go over the common hinderances we face and how to deal with them through prayer.

But why is the Bible so important?

There are five effects to reading God’s Word.
It gives us:

Life (John 6:68), Faith (Romans 10:17), Hope (Romans 15:4), Joy (John 15:11) and Fruitfulness (Psalm
1:2-3).

Even though there are obviously great reasons to read the Bible, we often don’t read it. But why?

There are four reasons or hinderances that frequently get in our way.

1-We simply don’t want to read it. 2-We don’t see anything worthwhile. 3-We are too distracted. 4-We don’t feel anything when we read it.

So how do we pray through these obstacles?

Remember I.O.U.S
I. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (Psalm 119:36)
O. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (Psalm 119:18)
U. Unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)
S. Satisfy us in the mourning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
(Psalm 90:14)

Scripture References
John 6:68, Romans 10:17, Romans 15:4, John 15:11, Psalm 1:2-3, Psalm 119:36, Psalm 119:18, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 90:14, Psalm 119:12, 1 Kings 8:57-58, Psalm 141:4

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.

ACCESS: This video is in English with the addition of American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and English captions. You can find the original video HERE.

There is no book like the Bible! Come find out why.

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

For more information on John Piper and Desiring God, check out desiringgod.org

For more information on Bethlehem College & Seminary, check out bcsmn.edu

Special thanks to John Piper and Desiring God for graciously letting us translate their material into sign language for the deaf to enjoy and benefit from.