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What Jesus Demands from the World
The four Gospels are filled with demands straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ. These demands are Jesus' way of showing us who he is and what he expects of us. They are not the harsh demands of a taskmaster. For example, the demand that we come to Jesus is like the demand of a father to his child in a burning window, "Jump to me!" Or like the demand of a rich, strong, tender, handsome husband to an unfaithful wife, "Come home!" What Jesus demands from the world can be summed up as: "Trust and treasure me above all." This is good news!
In What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper has gathered many of Jesus' demands from the four Gospels. He begins with an introduction that puts the demands in a redemptive-historical context, then concisely examines each demand. The result is an accessible introduction for thoughtful inquirers and new believers, as well as meditative meat for veteran believers who want to know Jesus better.
In What Jesus Demands from the World, John Piper has gathered many of Jesus' demands from the four Gospels. He begins with an introduction that puts the demands in a redemptive-historical context, then concisely examines each demand. The result is an accessible introduction for thoughtful inquirers and new believers, as well as meditative meat for veteran believers who want to know Jesus better.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
About the author
John Piper
527 books4,151 followersJohn Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.), and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years, he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem.
John is the author of more than 50 books and more than 30 years of his preaching and teaching is available free at desiringGod.org. John and his wife, Noel, have four sons, one daughter, and twelve grandchildren.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
December 3, 2012
One of my favourite books by John Piper. In 50 short chapters he examines every significant command spoken by Jesus in the four Gospels. The best feature is Piper’s deliberate choice to refer exclusively to the gospels and the Old Testament without reference to later New Testament books. This results in A) genuine effort to make sense of Jesus’ words on their own terms without taking the tempting short cut of referring to Paul, B) a demonstration that every major Christian teaching has it’s origin in the words of Jesus as recorded in the gospels, and C) a freshness in the way Piper (who is a lover of the epistles in his other books) deals with familiar issues. Having said that, I did feel that Piper couldn’t help occasionally importing Pauline terminology and themes to his discussion, as well as referring often to his own very distinct ways of talking about the Christian life (i.e. Christian Hedonism).
Because of the direct nature of Jesus’ demands, the book was personally challenging and helpfully practical. I read it as a morning devotional, as well as a reference while preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. This book is a rare (unique?) John Piper book in that it was written from scratch as an entire book rather than being based on sermons, which gives it a noticeable unity of concept, style and content.
Because of the direct nature of Jesus’ demands, the book was personally challenging and helpfully practical. I read it as a morning devotional, as well as a reference while preaching through the Sermon on the Mount. This book is a rare (unique?) John Piper book in that it was written from scratch as an entire book rather than being based on sermons, which gives it a noticeable unity of concept, style and content.
August 31, 2023
I read this book because of the premise: since Jesus commands us in the Great Commission to teach disciples to “observe all that I have commanded you”, it’s worth studying all the commands of Jesus in the Gospels. Piper’s All That Jesus Commanded does just that. Each command gets about 8 pages of unpacking and application.
I found the book excellent. (It’s the first long Piper book I’ve finished in a while!) As you’d expect, great explanation and insight. It’s worth reading a book on the commands of Jesus (for aforementioned reasons) at least once in your life. You’d be wise to read this one.
PS: Desiring God is offering the PDF for free. And you can see favorite quotes on Instagram.
I found the book excellent. (It’s the first long Piper book I’ve finished in a while!) As you’d expect, great explanation and insight. It’s worth reading a book on the commands of Jesus (for aforementioned reasons) at least once in your life. You’d be wise to read this one.
PS: Desiring God is offering the PDF for free. And you can see favorite quotes on Instagram.
November 25, 2017
This was a really wonderful book!
Through this book I felt that I know Jesus much more in depth then I had previously reading this book! I got a chance to really discover the work that the Lord begun in me. With every demand I understood what Jesus really wants for us and pray that in the future He will change my all heart.
I warmly recommend this book, especially for the ones that do not know Jesus! May God bless you with repenting and turning to His love because without Him in our lives we can't ever do anything and our heart will never be fulfilled!
Through this book I felt that I know Jesus much more in depth then I had previously reading this book! I got a chance to really discover the work that the Lord begun in me. With every demand I understood what Jesus really wants for us and pray that in the future He will change my all heart.
I warmly recommend this book, especially for the ones that do not know Jesus! May God bless you with repenting and turning to His love because without Him in our lives we can't ever do anything and our heart will never be fulfilled!
October 3, 2015
Really convicting and thought-provoking book. John Piper takes Jesus' own words and explains exactly what believers are called to in short, concise chapters (which I appreciated...much easier to take in small chunks at a time and think them over afterwards). I'm still mulling over some of his applications (Piper has the toughest stance on divorce and remarriage that I've ever read) and sometimes he appears close to saying you can lose your salvation, but in general, this is a great book.
November 25, 2018
This was a truly great book. This is the kind of book that is worth reading more than once. In fact, I did read some parts more than once. Every person desiring to have a growing relationship with God should read it. There are 5o chapters with a wide variety of topics like repent, take up your cross and follow me, love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, love your enemies, what God has joined, let not man separate, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's, let your light shine before others, make disciples of all nations. That is just a few of the things that God calls us to do that are discussed in this book.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
October 23, 2018
We are currently doing the workbook that goes along with this book in my bible study group. I will admit that I was not looking forward to this choice, but I am actually really enjoying the commentary and discussion questions. I would recommend this as a small group study for men, women, or combined groups.
August 20, 2022
Buenísimo! Si quieres aprender y profundizar en los mandamientos de Jesús, este es el libro que debes leer. Piper desmenuza cada mandamiento dicho por la boca de Jesús y los expone de manera clara y profunda para todo creyente que desea entender y obedecer verdaderamente al Señor. Son exigencias que Jesús dejó, no solo para sus discípulos, sino para "...todas las naciones" porque Él tiene "toda potestad..."
November 7, 2023
Pros:
- John Piper does a great job of breaking down the specific words of Jesus throughout the gospels
- Piper does a unique service here: he does not quote anything outside the gospels and the Old Testament
- The chapters are easy to read and follow
Cons:
- At times it is a bit repetitive
- It is a harder to follow flow from the book overall
- John Piper does a great job of breaking down the specific words of Jesus throughout the gospels
- Piper does a unique service here: he does not quote anything outside the gospels and the Old Testament
- The chapters are easy to read and follow
Cons:
- At times it is a bit repetitive
- It is a harder to follow flow from the book overall
May 11, 2020
I really enjoyed how succinct the chapters were about the demands of Jesus. Reading one a day gave me time to reflect on what Jesus expects from us.
December 16, 2020
Muy buen libro! Bastante explicado y lleno de biografías que llevan a rendir la vida de uno a Cristo. Anima mucho en el camino de la fe ha vivir para Dios y no para nuestros propios deleites.
January 1, 2018
When we think of Jesus, we tend to think of the mild teacher, or the suffering servant who died on a cross for our salvation. We don't usually think of him as demanding things from us. That was under the law, and Jesus frees us from the law, right? Not really. Not in that way.
In this book John Piper lays out several commands (or demands) of Jesus and explains what they mean and how we should obey, using scripture as his basis.
Over the last couple of years, John Piper has been a great source of learning and spiritual growth for me. This book is no different. I took a pencil to this book, something I almost never do, because it called out to me to do it. I underlined, and asterisked, and noted... and at least one chapter in this book moved me to the point of tears.
Each chapter covers one command (or one aspect of a command) and is only about 4-6 pages long, so this could easily read devotional-style.
This book will challenge you and push you to become a true follower of Jesus by obeying his commands. It is definitely one to read again.
In this book John Piper lays out several commands (or demands) of Jesus and explains what they mean and how we should obey, using scripture as his basis.
Over the last couple of years, John Piper has been a great source of learning and spiritual growth for me. This book is no different. I took a pencil to this book, something I almost never do, because it called out to me to do it. I underlined, and asterisked, and noted... and at least one chapter in this book moved me to the point of tears.
Each chapter covers one command (or one aspect of a command) and is only about 4-6 pages long, so this could easily read devotional-style.
This book will challenge you and push you to become a true follower of Jesus by obeying his commands. It is definitely one to read again.
June 29, 2022
What Jesus Demands from the World ~ John Piper
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
An excellent book by John Piper.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus left us this command, the great commission. But what does He mean by "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" well this book breaks down the commands of Jesus and you'd be surprised as to how many commands there are and just how deep and radical these teachings of Jesus are. The Christian life is not an easy path but one filled with a high calling. This book will help you understand just what those callings are, these commands that Jesus has given us. The Christian path is a hard one, but one that is worth any cost for the rewards are more than we could imagine.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
An excellent book by John Piper.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Jesus left us this command, the great commission. But what does He mean by "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" well this book breaks down the commands of Jesus and you'd be surprised as to how many commands there are and just how deep and radical these teachings of Jesus are. The Christian life is not an easy path but one filled with a high calling. This book will help you understand just what those callings are, these commands that Jesus has given us. The Christian path is a hard one, but one that is worth any cost for the rewards are more than we could imagine.
August 5, 2011
Not his best book...but a great concept. John Piper is certainly one of the great Christian thinkers of our time and his books are always worth the read.
Despite what mny would say, Jesus does make demands of His followers. And to pull them out and look at them one by one (although only 50 are looked at) is very interesting and needed.
This book is very practical in that it really devels into how you can fullfill these demands (without being legalistic about it).
The chapters are stand alone chapters and I would almost recommend reading it only a chapter a day as a devotional time similar to how you would read Purpose Driven Life. I think you would get more out of it than reading it straight through.
Despite what mny would say, Jesus does make demands of His followers. And to pull them out and look at them one by one (although only 50 are looked at) is very interesting and needed.
This book is very practical in that it really devels into how you can fullfill these demands (without being legalistic about it).
The chapters are stand alone chapters and I would almost recommend reading it only a chapter a day as a devotional time similar to how you would read Purpose Driven Life. I think you would get more out of it than reading it straight through.
December 15, 2021
Vintage Piper…literally, since this book is getting close to 20 years old. I read it 10 or 11 years ago, it was formative then…still great now. Sometimes dense, sometimes burning white-hot with penetrating insight, always textual. Even when you disagree with his exegesis he’s making you think about the Bible.
November 21, 2008
This is a great get-back-to-basics book. I like that Piper takes Jesus' commands and relates them to the state of our hearts- he's not legalistic about the demands.
May 28, 2008
Hard-core study of some of the basic theology of Christians. Well written and profound. I highly recommend it to anyone.
Read
July 24, 2011EXTREMELY convicting and still inspirational.
April 23, 2021
What a theologically rich book! In this book Piper breaks down 50 of Jesus’ demands that he gives his followers. These demands span the whole of Christian life from the very beginning starting with repentance- and obedience and struggles. The chapters are so short which makes this one of Piper’s more easier books to read. Some chapters are really convicting and hard but Piper makes the truths clear. There were some examples that he gave that I thought were somewhat weak but overall his heart for the gospel and to teach it purely was evident. I do believe he set out to write a 50 demand book and broke up demands to make a separate issue out of each- for example there were 4 chapters on loving enemies, 3 on loving neighbors, 3 on divorce, etc. They could have easily been one chapter each. If you do decide to read this book I would recommend reading one chapter at a time and meditating on it- at least that is how I wish I had read it. Also a good reference book!
The 50 demands are:
You must be born again
Repent
Come to me
Believe in me
Love me
Listen to me
Abide in me
Take up your cross and follow me
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength
Rejoice and leap for joy
Fear him who can destroy both soul and body and hell
Worship God in spirit and in truth
Always pray and do not lose heart
Do not be anxious about the necessities of daily life
Do not be anxious about the threats of man
Humble yourself by making war on pride
Humble yourself in childlikeness, servanthood, and broken hearted boldness
Do not be angry trust God’s providence
Do not be angry embrace mercy and forgiveness
Do the will of my father who is in heaven be justified by trusting Jesus
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for all of life is war
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for Jesus fills the new covenant
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for you are already in the kingdom’s power
Your righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees -for it with hypocritical and ugly
Your righteousness message said that the Pharisees -clean the inside of the cup
Your righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, for every healthy tree bears good fruit
Love your enemies lead them to the truth
Love your enemies and pray for those who abuse you
Love your enemies do Good to those who hate you, give to the one who ask you
Love your enemies to show that you are children of God
Love your neighbor as yourself, for this is the law and the prophets
Love your neighbor with the same commitment you have to your own well-being
Love your neighbor as yourself and as Jesus loved us
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven by giving sacrificially and generously
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven and increase your joy in Jesus
Layup of yourselves treasures in heaven it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom
Do not take it out cherish the truth and speak it simply
What God has joined together let no man separate, for marriage Mirrors Gods covenant with us
What God has joined together let no man separate, for whoever divorces in Marries another commits adultery
What God has joined together let no man separate one man, one woman, by Grace till death
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God’s
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s as an act of rendering to God what is God’s
Do this in remembrance of me, for I will build my church
Do this in remembrance of me baptize disciples and eat the Lords supper
Let your light shine before others that they may glorify your father who is in heaven
Make disciples of all nations, for all authority belongs to Jesus
Make disciples of all nations, for the mission cannot fail
The 50 demands are:
You must be born again
Repent
Come to me
Believe in me
Love me
Listen to me
Abide in me
Take up your cross and follow me
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength
Rejoice and leap for joy
Fear him who can destroy both soul and body and hell
Worship God in spirit and in truth
Always pray and do not lose heart
Do not be anxious about the necessities of daily life
Do not be anxious about the threats of man
Humble yourself by making war on pride
Humble yourself in childlikeness, servanthood, and broken hearted boldness
Do not be angry trust God’s providence
Do not be angry embrace mercy and forgiveness
Do the will of my father who is in heaven be justified by trusting Jesus
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for all of life is war
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for Jesus fills the new covenant
Strive to enter through the narrow door, for you are already in the kingdom’s power
Your righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees -for it with hypocritical and ugly
Your righteousness message said that the Pharisees -clean the inside of the cup
Your righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, for every healthy tree bears good fruit
Love your enemies lead them to the truth
Love your enemies and pray for those who abuse you
Love your enemies do Good to those who hate you, give to the one who ask you
Love your enemies to show that you are children of God
Love your neighbor as yourself, for this is the law and the prophets
Love your neighbor with the same commitment you have to your own well-being
Love your neighbor as yourself and as Jesus loved us
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven by giving sacrificially and generously
Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven and increase your joy in Jesus
Layup of yourselves treasures in heaven it is your father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom
Do not take it out cherish the truth and speak it simply
What God has joined together let no man separate, for marriage Mirrors Gods covenant with us
What God has joined together let no man separate, for whoever divorces in Marries another commits adultery
What God has joined together let no man separate one man, one woman, by Grace till death
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are God’s
Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s as an act of rendering to God what is God’s
Do this in remembrance of me, for I will build my church
Do this in remembrance of me baptize disciples and eat the Lords supper
Let your light shine before others that they may glorify your father who is in heaven
Make disciples of all nations, for all authority belongs to Jesus
Make disciples of all nations, for the mission cannot fail
November 10, 2023
John Piper was my pastor for many years. It was through his preaching that my eyes were opened to the gospel, and I truly became a believer. Just as with his preaching, I greatly benefited from John Piper's pursuit of deep study and exposition of the Word of God. The book served as a meditation on who Jesus is and what he is saying--not what we want him to say. A theme throughout is what it means to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Other topics I loved were: all life is war, all life is worship, trusting Jesus, forgiveness, humility, anxiety, not loving and serving money, and loving your enemies.
Favorite quote:
'"Love God with all your heart" means: Find in God a satisfaction so profound that it fills up all your heart. "Love God with all your soul" means: Find in God a meaning so rich and so deep that it fills up all the aching corners of your soul. "Love God with all your mind" means: Find in God the riches of knowledge and insight and wisdom that guide and satisfy all that the human mind was meant to be.' (p. 260)
The book is laid out in the format of 50 different demands of Jesus. Some have more takeaways and applications than others, and I would have appreciated more application for how to change my heart and actions. Jesus' views on divorce and remarriage were unexpected in this book and John Piper's interpretation is a hard topic to understand.
Favorite quote:
'"Love God with all your heart" means: Find in God a satisfaction so profound that it fills up all your heart. "Love God with all your soul" means: Find in God a meaning so rich and so deep that it fills up all the aching corners of your soul. "Love God with all your mind" means: Find in God the riches of knowledge and insight and wisdom that guide and satisfy all that the human mind was meant to be.' (p. 260)
The book is laid out in the format of 50 different demands of Jesus. Some have more takeaways and applications than others, and I would have appreciated more application for how to change my heart and actions. Jesus' views on divorce and remarriage were unexpected in this book and John Piper's interpretation is a hard topic to understand.
October 7, 2018
I've read quite a bit of Piper and this was by far my least favorite work of his.
The good: The first 10 or so "demands" are great, observant, helpful reminders that offered meaningful applications. This book could easily serve as a two month or so devotional through the gospels.
The bad: After the first ten or so (with the exception of a few, such as the demand on divorce), I kept thinking I had already read what he was writing. There is quite a bit of repetition, but definitely nuggets throughout.
The ugly: The writing of this book was unlike anything I've read by Piper. Hard, convoluted, messy, and difficult to follow. Piper is known for his ability to take heady ideas and give them feet on the ground. I honestly read this book at two or three pages at a time before I would set it aside and read something else for a break.
The good: The first 10 or so "demands" are great, observant, helpful reminders that offered meaningful applications. This book could easily serve as a two month or so devotional through the gospels.
The bad: After the first ten or so (with the exception of a few, such as the demand on divorce), I kept thinking I had already read what he was writing. There is quite a bit of repetition, but definitely nuggets throughout.
The ugly: The writing of this book was unlike anything I've read by Piper. Hard, convoluted, messy, and difficult to follow. Piper is known for his ability to take heady ideas and give them feet on the ground. I honestly read this book at two or three pages at a time before I would set it aside and read something else for a break.
November 21, 2017
This book is challenging. There's no way around that which is the whole point of Piper. I think at one point he commented how the most radical version of Jesus is the one portrayed in the Bible, we tend to dilute what He said or did. It can cause a "do-er" to feel uneasy, but really Jesus provides freedom in that His mission cannot fail and what he asks from us is freeing. This book references almost exclusively out of the Gospels and is saturated in the word making it a great supplementary read.
August 27, 2017
I was interested in the thought process of the author in approaching this book. I try to read from different perspectives on biblical books. For me personally I don't care for the Calvinism approach to scripture. I feel like the author already has a theology that controls his interpretation of the scriptures. The author put together very well thought out chapters and ideas and overall was worth the read. Just my 2 cents worth.
April 4, 2022
Easy read on deep topics, such as you must be born again, fear him who can destroy both body and soul, do the will of my Father in heaven-be transformed by following Jesus, love you enemies to show you are Children of God, what God has joined together let no man separate, for marriage mirrors God's covenant with us, and make disciples of nations for the mission cannot fail.
This book brought joy to my heart and a greater understanding of God's expectations, mercy, and grace.
This book brought joy to my heart and a greater understanding of God's expectations, mercy, and grace.
November 23, 2022
First of all i would like to mention that I'm moroccan muslim, and proud of my religion; may be this is my first time i try to read an eglish chritian book..
The content of this book is good it is plenty of values.
Of course, my conviction is that Jesus is a slave of God not a Lord, but what's the author tries to exchange with his readers is interseting;
I invite him to read about the final prophet Muhammad peace and blessing be up him..
Thank you Jhon..
The content of this book is good it is plenty of values.
Of course, my conviction is that Jesus is a slave of God not a Lord, but what's the author tries to exchange with his readers is interseting;
I invite him to read about the final prophet Muhammad peace and blessing be up him..
Thank you Jhon..
July 7, 2023
My review for practically every John Piper book I read: THE GOOD: This book says many pious things that aim to make for a grander vision of Jesus. No wonder Evangelicals are quick to eat it up. THE BAD: However, I've seen time and time again how it's fans use this for a hyper-simplistic worldview that ends up creating really bad methods for interpreting the Bible and living out the Christian life. CONLUSION: I can get some good things out of it, but I'm not passing it around.
April 12, 2021
Actually, this book is telling about the 4 gospels of Jesus. This book gives another point of view about Jesus. Focusing on Jesus' demands to His disciples, that gives us another view of Jesus' thought, heart desire, and His longing. This book is trying to summarize all of Jesus' teachings on the gospels.
November 15, 2019
Legitimately one of the most important books I’ve ever read. I appreciate and enjoy just about everything Piper does, but this one was above and beyond even what is typical of him. Highly recommended.
December 17, 2021
Excellent interaction with Christ's commands in the gospels; could be a helpful resource for preaching Gospels. I was particularly helped by Piper's careful meditation and desire to maintain the weight of Jesus' strong words.
April 3, 2022
Jesus teachings from the Gospel, its not systematic, but the explanation was quite deep. This is a good material for learning about law and how it could be implemented on new testament through Jesus' words.
March 12, 2023
Sometimes I had to re-read the same chapter because he seemed to be recapping fairly standard Reformed ideas as if they were new (lost focus). He did have some good points about marriage and God’s requirements meant for our good….but I can’t say it was much more than good recap.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews