TGC Conference: Bryan Chapell

The sixth talk of the Gospel Coalition Conference was given by Bryan Chapell. Dr. Chapell was another speaker who I knew little about going into the conference but came away thirsting for more of his biblical teaching.

Bryan Chapell is the president of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis since 1994. He teaches a class at the seminary named Christ-Centered Preaching and has even written a book with the same title. They encompass some of the most biblically faithful and powerful teaching on preaching available today.

Dr. Chapell's talk was entitled Preach the Word! from 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5. The main point of his talk was this: God is still in the business of speaking today... through His Word. He makes this point beautifully when he connects the preaching of the Word with God's voice. He says that when preachers truly preach the Word of God, they are not only preaching about Jesus or for Jesus. No, they are preaching as Jesus. It is a powerful reflection on the very essence of the Bible that we hold in our hands daily. As Augustine says, "When the Bible speaks, God speaks." Here are the audio and video of this session. Pay special attention to the story of the young girl in youth group. It was especially moving for me.

Plan B and It's Effects on America

Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has a sadly informative article on a federal court's decision to direct the FDA to make Plan B (commonly referred to as the morning-after pill) available to all women 17 years of age and older over-the-counter. Here's an excerpt of his conclusions about this decision.

"One key insight into the paper's ideology: Note the references in both editorials and news reports to the claim that evidence proves that young girls "can use the pills safely." Clearly, the paper means to speak of medical safety. But what about other aspects of these girls' lives? Is it morally safe? Spiritually safe? Safe to a tender heart?

No, the main issue in the FDA policy is this -- safe from parental supervision. The morning after pill is now a potent symbol of the end of parenthood as we know it."

Read the rest of the article.

TGC Conference: K. Edward Copeland

The fifth session of the Gospel Coalition Conference was given by K. Edward Copeland. This was another pastor that I was not aware of until this conference, and I came away glad to have met him for the first time. Preaching with fervor and spirit, he has a heart to see the power of the gospel transform lives everywhere.

K. Edward Copeland is the senior pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. He is the author of Riding in the Second Chariot. And for those who are wondering why Pastor Copeland does not use his first name, email me.

Pastor Copeland's talk was entitled Shadowlands: Pitfalls and Parodies of Gospel-Centered Ministry from 2 Timothy 3:1-9. The main point of his talk was this: Though there is Godlessness in these last days, nothing can thwart the power of the gospel. Here are the audio and video of this session. Get ready for the fire!

TGC Coalition: Mark Driscoll

The fourth session of the Gospel Coalition Conference was given by Mark Driscoll. Though branded as controversial and crude, Pastor Mark is deeply committed to following Christ and preaching his cross amidst opposition in one of the most unchurched cities in all of America. He has even had a man rush the pulpit with machete in hand.

Mark Driscoll is pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in America, Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. He is president of the Acts 29 church planting network and has founded The Resurgence - a missional theological coop that "resources multiple generations to live for Jesus" with theologically correct and culturally relevant media. Check out MarsHillChurch.org and TheResurgence.com for Driscoll's sermons, essays, and many more theologically correct and culturally relevant resources. He is the author of nine (soon to be ten) different books, including Vintage Jesus, Death by Love, and, most recently, Vintage Church.

Driscoll's talk was entitled Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth from 2 Timothy 2:14-26. His talk was mainly addressed to pastors, but many of his points still apply to all Christians everywhere. The main point of his talk was how to discover and positively respond to the negatives (people in your church who have a negative influence on many others in the church) in your ministry. Here are the audio and video of the talk. One word of caution: Laughter to ensue.

TGC Conference: Phil Ryken

The third session of the Gospel Coalition Conference was given by Phil Ryken. Before the conference, I had never really heard of Dr. Ryken. I'd heard his name in passing and maybe on a few books, but that was really it. Man, was I ever missing out!

Dr. Ryken is the Senior Pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. He has authored many books including He Speaks to Me Everywhere and The Message of Salvation. Don Carson has even referred to him as one of the greatest expositors of Scripture the church has the privilege of knowing today.

Ryken's talk was entitled The Pattern of Sound Words from 2 Timothy 1:13-2:13. The main point of this session was that Paul was calling Timothy to remain faithful to doctrine and practice in his ministry. Therefore, so should we - whatever our ministry may be. Be sure to hone in on the last part of his talk where he addresses our faithlessness and God's faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:11-13). It's a solid reminder that the gospel is needed not only for non-Christians, but Christians as well. Here are the audio and video for you to enjoy.

TGC Conference: John Piper

The second session of the Gospel Coalition Conference was given by a personal icon of mine, John Piper. Driven by his passion for the supremacy of Christ in all things, Dr. Piper stamped his mantra on the hearts of men and women around the globe: "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." Not only does he faithfully lead and shepherd his own flock at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, but he is also building up a generation of men, women, pastors, and laymen around the globe who long to see God glorified through the gospel of Christ.

John Piper has written dozens of books, all of which you should read in your lifetime (I'm still working on that). His more infamous titles include Desiring God, The Pleasures of God, and his most recent release, Finally Alive. All of Dr. Piper's sermons, essays, manuscripts, and books are available online at DesiringGod.org at no cost to the user.

Piper's talk at the TGC Conference was entitled Feed the Flame of God's Gift: Unashamed Courage in the Gospel from 2 Timothy 1:1-12. His main encouragement throughout the whole talk was this: "Keep feeding the flame of God's gift in you - namely, unashamed courage to speak openly of Christ and to suffer for the gospel." He then continues on to explain that the flame of this gift (courage) is dependent on the feeding of it and the feeding of it is dependent on God's grace. The audio and video can both be found here.

One final note. If you have ever struggled with the fear of proclaiming the gospel and suffering for it, keep a box of tissues nearby. This message will mess you up... in a good way.

TGC Conference: Tim Keller

The first session of The Gospel Coalition Conference was given by Tim Keller. If you don't already know Pastor Keller, I suggest you get to know him... fast! Be sure to check out his page on Monergism.com. Monergism has many free sermons, manuscripts, and resources all by Keller himself.

Here is a brief synopsis of this highly influential pastor. He is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York. According to Christianity Today, the church is "one of Manhattan's most vital congregations." He has written five books which include The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and one due out in October, Counterfeit Gods. All of them come highly recommended.

Keller's talk was entitled The Grand Demythologizer: The Gospel and Idolatry. The main point of his talk was this: "Without challenging the idols of our day, effective gospel ministry cannot happen." He then went on to discuss how to discern, expose, and destroy idols. Here is the audio and video for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

The Gospel Coalition: Overview

For the past 3 days, I have been at the Gospel Coalition Conference 2009. It was, unashamedly, one of the most edifying, emotional, and powerful experiences I have had in a long time. Therefore, I want to make sure that I share that with you.

But before I do that, it might help to know what exactly The Gospel Coalition is. Tim Challies has a helpful post entitled What Is the Gospel Coalition? Here is an excerpt describing what the Gospel Coalition is not.

Sometimes it is easier to define something from the perspective of what it
is not. This may help alleviate confusion by allowing us to see what roles
this organization does not intend to play. And in this case we will find
that The Gospel Coalition is not a church and that it is not a denomination.
It seeks to support both churches and denominations but to exist separately
from them. It is wider than denominations even while acknowledging that
denominations must continue to exist. It seeks to support the local church
without replacing it.

It is also not a replacement for anything. It seeks to exist alongside
Together for the Gospel (which is why they have conferences on alternating
years) and the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It exists alongside
churches and denominations.

The Gospel Coalition is also not a conference. It does (at least at the moment) have a large conference every two years, but this is only a part of what it is and what it does.

In the net few days, I'll post the audio and video from each of the sessions.

Don't Waste Your Life Tour

What do you get when you mix the passionate preaching of John Piper with the heart-pumpin' beats and lyrics of Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, and Flame? Don't Waste Your Life Tour. Here's the official music video.

Christian Fiction Books

(Intro to Christian Fiction)

Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Biographies

(Intro to Biographies)

Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life by Colin Duriez

The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun

Living Water by Brother Yun

The Roots of Endurance by John Piper

The Hidden Smile of God by John Piper

Confessions by Augustine

Confessions of a Reformission Reverend by Mark Driscoll

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D.A. Carson

John Calvin by Burk Parsons

Jonathan Edwards by George Marsden

The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards by Steven Lawson

Books on Suffering

I believe that one of the hardest questions for any Christian to answer and provide counsel on is this: "How can a good and loving God allow (or even ordain) evil to exist?" It is a profound question with seemingly difficult implications and hard answers. Yet, God is not silent in answering this question. Throughout Scripture, God speaks very clearly on this subject and gives numerous examples of suffering and His hand in it, most notably in the substitutionary death of His Son on the cross. The following books do an outstanding job of expounding upon this very question.

Spectacular Sins by John Piper: (enter small preview of the book)






Suffering and the Sovereignty of God edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor: (enter blurb about book)





How Long, O Lord? by D.A. Carson: (enter blurb for book)






The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God by John Piper: When trying to understand the subject of suffering and sovereignty of God, there is scarcely any better biblical story to saturate yourself with than the story of Job. Not only are we, the reader, given an example of a man in extreme suffering who responds rightly through it all, but we are also blessed with the gift of seeing how God works behind the scenes throughout the evil and suffering that occurs in Job's life as well as our own. Knowing this, John Piper has rewritten Job's story in the form of a narrative poem. Densely packed with theology that comforts, this short poem will strike affections in the heart and nourish the soul with the truth of the mercy and bigness of God.

"Behold the mercy of our King,
Who takes from death its bitter sting,
And by his blood, and often ours,
Brings triumph out of hostile pow'rs,
And paints, with crimson, earth and soul
Until the bloody work is whole.
What we have lost God will restore -
That, and himself, forevermore,
When he is finished with his art:
The quiet worship of our heart.
When God creates a humble hush,
And makes Leviathan his brush,
It won't be long before the rod
Becomes the tender kiss of God."

When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada: (enter blurb about book)






Suffering and the Goodness of God by Christopher Morgan: (enter blurb about book)






The God I Don't Understand by Christopher Wright: (enter blurb about book)






All Things for Good by Thomas Watson: (enter blurb about book)






Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ by John Piper: William Tyndale's driving passion was to see the Bible translated into the English language so that any England might finally be able to read it themselves. He was betrayed by a friend, tortured, and burned for it. John G. Paton set his hopes of bringing the Gospel to a tribe of cannibals on the island of Tanna on November 5, 1858. Four months later, the fever claimed the lives of his wife and newborn son. Four years later, he was driven off the island with no Gospel fruit to show in the lives of the cannibals. Adoniram Judson set out to bring Christ to Burma no matter what it cost. It cost him the lives of two of his wives, seven children, and many colleagues. These men suffered greatly for the spread of the Gospel to the nations. And John Piper has given them a voice so that we might listen and follow suite. Read the rest of my book review.

Books on Scripture and Preaching It

(Intro to Scripture and Preaching It)

Scripture

The Erosion of Inerrancy in Evangelicalism by G.K. Beale

Why Johnny Can't Preach by T. David Gordon

Words of Life by Timothy Ward

A Clear and Present Word by Mark Thomson

Lost in Transmission? by Nicholas Perrin

Study Bibles

ESV Study Bible

Reformation Study Bible (ESV Translation)

Preaching and Sermons

Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell

The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper

Spurgeon vs. Hyper Calvinism: The Battle for Gospel Preaching by Iain Murray

Books on the Sovereignty of God

(Intro to the Sovereignty of God)

God's Sovereignty in Salvation

The Bondage of the Will by Martin Luther

Still Sovereign edited by Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware

Putting Amazing Back into Grace by Michael Horton

Finally Alive by John Piper

The Justification of God by John Piper

The Grace of Repentance by Sinclair Ferguson

The Glory of God

God's Passion for His Glory by John Piper

The Pleasures of God by John Piper

The End for Which God Created the World by Jonathan Edwards

Books on the Gospel and its Proclamation

(Intro to the Gospel)


The Gospel
 
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper: (insert info)







    

50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper: (insert brief intro)








 
God Is the Gospel by John Piper


Counted Righteous in Christ by John Piper


The Future of Justification by John Piper


In My Place Condemned He Stood by J.I. Packer and Mark Dever

The Cross of Christ by John Stott


In Christ Alone by Sinclair Ferguson


The Great Exchange by Jerry Bridges


The Gospel for Real Life by Jerry Bridges


Living the Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney


Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears


Death by Love by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears


The Radical Cross by A.W. Tozer


The Cross He Bore by Frederick Leahy


The Glory of Christ by John Owen


The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen


The Power of the Cross of Christ by Charles Spurgeon


The Cross by Martyn Lloyd-Jones


Pierced for Our Transgressions by Steve Jeffrey


Whiter than Snow by Paul Tripp


The Prodigal God by Tim Keller


What Jesus Demands from the World

Proclaiming the Gospel: Evangelism

Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper


Tactics by Gregory Koukl

Questioning Evangelism by Randy Newman

The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman

Books on the Church

(Intro to Church)

History of the Church

Abortion & the Early Church by Gene Veith

Christianity's Dangerous Idea by McGrath

The Church

The New Shape of World Christianity by Mark Noll

Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll

Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck (due out in June 2009)

Religion in America

Christless Christianity by Michael Horton

Don't Stop Believing by Michael Wittmer

Church Movements: Emergent Church

The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World by John Piper

Why We're Not Emergent by Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck

Becoming Conversant with the Emergent Church by D.A. Carson

Books on the Christian Life

(About The Christian Life...)

Christian Living

Humility by C.J. Mahaney

Worldliness edited by CJ Mahaney

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Desiring God by John Piper

When I Don't Desire God by John Piper

Unpacking Forgiveness by Chris Brauns

Uprooting Anger by Robert Jones

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will by Kevin DeYoung

The Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

Sex, Dating, Marriage, & Family

This Momentary Marriage by John Piper

Desire and Deceit by Al Mohler

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris

Reforming Marriage by Doug Wilson

When Sinner's Say I Do by Dave Harvey

What He Must Be by Voddie Baucham Jr

Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper

Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies by Steve and Candice Watters

Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr

Get Outta My Face! by Rick Horne

Instructing a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

Stewardship: Money

Money Map by Howard Dayton

The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

For the Ladies

Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

Shopping for Time by Caroline Mahaney

Books on Theology

This post (and a whole slew of others) is meant to provide Christian men, women, students, parents, children, teenagers, punk rockers, jocks, and bookworms with carefully selected Christian books and articles that will hopefully aid in your edification, study, sanctification, and Christian life. They will be updated on a regular basis, and I will soon be adding short reviews under many of the titles that I have read myself. I will also provide links to these posts in the sidebar for easy access. Please feel free to comment on any one of these books as well as suggest others that I might have looked over in the process of compiling this list.

-------------------------------------------------------------

(About theology...)

Systematic Theology

Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

Knowing God by J.I. Packer

Great Doctrines of the Bible by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Theology in the Context of World Christianity by Timothy Tennet

Godology by Christian George

The Doctrine of God by John Frame

The One True God by Paul Washer

The Mission of God by Christopher Wright

Books You'll Actually Read Series by Driscoll

God's Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts

The Trinity

Communion with the Triune God by John Owen

Father, Son, & Holy Spirit by Bruce Ware

The Holy Spirit

Baptism and Fullness by John Stott

Showing the Spirit by D.A. Carson

The Gift of Prophecy by Wayne Grudem

Sanctification

The Mortification of Sin by John Owen

The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges

How People Change by Paul Tripp & Tim Lane

Future Grace by John Piper

Take Charge of Your Life by Richard Ganz

Growing in Christ by JI Packer

Apologetics

The Reason for God by Tim Keller

The God Who Is There by Francis Schaeffer

Escape from Reason by Francis Schaeffer

He Is There & He Is Not Silent by Francis Schaeffer

Basic Christianity by John Stott

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Do You Know Him?

Kudos to Justin Taylor for posting this video on his blog. It is a prayer delivered by Dr. S. M. Lockridge in 1976 and is titled, "That's My King." Happy Easter!

A Puritan Prayer on Good Friday

Below is a prayer from the book Valley of Vision. Valley of Vision is a compilation of Puritan prayers. This is one of my favorites and extremely relevant in light of Good Friday. Please read with joy.

Christ was all anguish that I might be all joy,
cast off that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell's worst that I might attain heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
athirst that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.

My Savior wept that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorned crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.

The Serpent and the Son of Man

Today is Good Friday. Too often I have let this holiday come and go as if it had little significance on my life. And yet, this is the most significant day in all of history. Because today is the day Christ died upon the cross as my substitute. The passage below has had a significant impact on me today, and I would like to share it with you.

"[Jesus said], And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." - John 3:14-15

What is Jesus talking about here? How can he compare himself to a those slithery, wily creatures? Without knowing the Old Testament context, this statement makes little sense. So, let's see what Jesus is referencing here.

"From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, 'Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.' Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, 'We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live."

So the people of God are on the Exodus, traveling from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Land which God promised to deliver them into. Therefore, when the people begin to grumble and question why God has brought them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, it is as if they are slapping God across the face. Did he not provide manna to eat and water to drink daily? Did he not promise to deliver His people from their enemies? So in his rightful and holy wrath, God sends serpents, and many people perish.

However, this is not the end. God tells Moses to make a serpent, set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten who looks at the serpent shall live. The poison has already entered their flesh. Death is impending and eminent. Yet, all the people of Israel have to do is look at the snake that was set on a pole, and they will live!

So how does this story of Moses and Exodus apply to Jesus' statement in the book of John? And even better yet, how does it apply to us?

We are the people of Israel. We have defamed the name of God with our rebellion and sin. We have questioned the promises of God and turned from him. Therefore, God has given us up to the poisonous serpents, the lusts of our hearts and the sin that so easily entangles. And we have been bitten by that wily creature. The poison of sin lurks in our bodies, slowly decaying our flesh and killing us quickly. We are captive to it and are destined for death, lest something is done to defeat the poison lurking within.

Praise God something has been done. The serpent was lifted up on a pole so that he who looked upon it might live, and Christ was lifted up on a cross so that whoever looks upon him might live forever! He who was lifted up has taken the poison upon himself so that our impending death might be no more (2 Cor 5:21). The Son of Man has reversed the flow of poison through our veins, so that now, all we have to do is look. Look at the God-man hanging on the cross who became my sin and died my death so that I might live. Look at his body that was broken for you. Look at the blood that flows from the thorn of crowns upon his head down to the nails driven through his feet. Look.

Today is Good Friday. Take the time to look upon Christ who was lifted up.

What Is Sustaining Grace?

I received a free sermon CD from Desiring God Ministries a few months ago, and on it was John Piper's sermon, Sustained by Sovereign Grace - Forever! I've listened to it three times so far. I would highly recommend it to anyone. Here's my favorite line that repeats again and again throughout the sermon. It is a poem he created to help answer the question, "What is sustaining grace?"

"Not grace to bar what is not bliss,
Nor give flight to all distress, but this:
The grace that orders our trouble and pain,
And then, in the darkness, is there to sustain."

Let me know what you think.

O Lord - How Long?

To steal the infamous line of D.A. Carson's excellent book on suffering, How Long, O Lord?, "All you have to do is live long enough, and you will suffer." How true that is. In this life, you will suffer. Therefore, the question is not if we will suffer, but when will we suffer. When your day or week or year or life of suffering comes, I pray you would take counsel from the sufferings of King David.

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;
heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
But you, O Lord - how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you;
in Sheol who will give you praise?

I am weary with my moaning;
every night I flood my bed with tears;
I drench my couch with weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
it grows weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my plea;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

- Psalm 6

God hears your cries for help. He hears your pleas for mercy. Now hear this: He accepts your prayer. And because he accepted your prayer, your enemy of sin, Satan, cancer, Alzheimers, abuse, and death shall be ashamed and greatly troubled and shall turn back and be put to shame because Christ has overcome the world. Through His life, death, and resurrection, God's holy wrath is satisfied, and we will be taken to a place where "He will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" (Rev 21:4).

So, when your day of suffering comes - if it is not already here - and you find yourself asking, "O Lord, how long?" I imagine Jesus might reply, "Surely, I am coming soon" (Rev 22:20).

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!