Here is a powerful clip of John Piper speaking to a younger generation with the message titled, “Boasting Only in the Cross.” It was relevant then, and it is relevant today. In May 19, 2000, he spoke to many young people in Passion OneDay Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. The core of his message is this: “Don’t waste your life.” You can find the core of his teaching in his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life.” As we say goodbye to 2024, let us examine how we lived our lives. What are some things we did, as important as they were, will be thrown away in the heavenly trash can before we enter heaven? What are some things we did, as ordinary or foolish in the eyes of the world, will honor and glorify God in heaven? As we look forward to 2025, let’s commit to not wasting our lives.

“People who make a difference in the world are not people who have mastered a lot of things. They have been people who have been mastered by a very few things that are very, very great.” (John Piper)

“That’s a tragedy! That’s a tragedy!” (John Piper)

“As the last chapter before you stand before the Creator of the universe to given an account with what you did. Here it is Lord, my shell collection! Look, Lord, my shell collection… And I’ve got a good swing… And look at my boat… God, look at my boat…” (John Piper)

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” (Apostle Paul, Phil.3:7-8 NLT)

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Apostle Paul, Phil.3:13-14)