This month our book of choice was A Holy Ambition by John Piper. This particular book was something of a piggy-back on Let the Nations Be Glad and was one I got a lot out of. The book is really a compilation of sermons and other texts Piper has written throughout the years pertaining to missions. Though there is some overlap, the ideas he presents are ones worth repeating. Piper writes quite a bit on the subject of missions because it is close to his heart, and obviously close to God's heart. Christians all over the world are called to be a part of God's global purpose, and it is a blessing to be able to respond to God's call!
The book discusses the idea of a holy ambition, a concept taken from Paul who declared in Romans 15: 18-24 "I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation." As christians we all have a holy ambition, or a deep desire to serve God and bring about his kingdom on earth. We should strive to align our heart's desire with what the heart of God desires, and that is that we would worship at the throne of God! Piper reminds us that the goal of missions is, "the global worship of Jesus by his redeemed people from every tribe, tongue, and nation."
Some people have a problem with the idea that God only wants followers so we can worship and glorify Him. Piper tackles this issue head on. "If knowing Jesus were anything less than the greatest of enjoyments, the his pursuit would be unloving. but he is the most valuable Reality in the universe. Knowing him is "the surpassing worth" that makes it gain to count all else loss. Therefore it is profoundly loving for Jesus to exalt himself. He cannot love the nations without putting himself on display because it is only him that truly satisfies the human soul." (p. 23)
One of my favorite things in this book is the challenge that all christians are called to glorify God among the nations. "You were made for this. I mean all of you who say from the heart, 'Jesus is Lord.' When you confess Jesus as the Lord of the universe, you sign up for significance beyond all your dreams. To belong to Jesus is to embrace nations for which he died and which he will rule. Your heart was made for this, and there will always be a serious or mild sickness in your soul until you embrace this global calling." What a challenge for all of us to be more and do more for the kingdom of God! We serve a God who is victorious over all evil, and his is a mission that will be fulfilled. I for one want to be part of that mission, and I hope it is one that you will embrace as well.
A few more quotes from the book:
"Growing up means getting a holy ambition to wield the sword of the Spirit mightily and drive a truckload of love to the needy and kick Satan's rear end in the name of Jesus." (p. 15)
"So my answer to the question where does a holy ambition come from is this: It comes from a personal encounter with the living Christ, shaped and informed and empowered by the written word of God." (pg. 17)
"Faith is a precondition for enjoying the symphony of God's glory not in the sense of getting a ticket, but in the sense of getting an ear for heaven's music. The real precondition of enjoying the music of heaven throughout eternity is a new heart which delights in the things of God, not a decision card which you carry in your pocket to ease your conscience while your mind is captivated by the delights of this world." (P. 59)
"Stunning shifts are taking place as God gathers his elect from all the nations and sends his church to all the nations. Europe and America are not the center of gravity in world Christianity any longer. The center is shifting south and east. Latin America, Africa, and Asia are experiencing phenomenal growth and are becoming the great sending churches." (P. 139)
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