Monday, May 19, 2008

"Missions exists because worship doesn't"

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.

John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, pg. 11

I hate hyperbole more than anything in the world. But this has got to be one of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read. I don't understand why so many people I know still don't understand what it is about John Piper's theological center that burns and resonates with so many in my generation. I don't want to be about kingdom building or slick marketing. I hate sales. What I'm passionate about is worship with God at the blazing center of all of life. If that doesn't keep me grounded and humble I don't know what will.

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