Let the Nations Be Glad! (Intro, Chapters 1-2)

I have begun to read this book by John Piper and it is adding to my desire to GO to the people who have not HEARD the gospel yet. It is also preparing me for the short Las Vegas trip in August! Reading these few chapters give me a better frame of mind and soul on how to prepare for missions and how to share Jesus, in the way he is most definitely worthy of.

His introduction alone is all about what is called the prosperity gospel. I learned about this term about a year ago- although I kind of always had an icky feeling when I heard it. It is all about wealth, health, and happiness rather than repenting of ungodliness and being saved by grace and faith in Jesus. The faith in the prosperity gospel has robbed Christians of the fullness of joy they are able to receive in Christ, but rather settle for worldly, temporary, sinful goals instead. It has made me more attentive to how I share the redemptive work of Christ!
DO NOT PREACH A GOSPEL THAT
1. puts unnecessary obstacles in the way of people getting into Heaven
2. kindles suicidal desires in people
3. encourages vulnerability to moth and rust (shallow faith)
4. makes a good work a means of getting rich
5. pronounces less faith in God's promises and diminishes the glory of God's help
6. contributes to people being choked to death
7. takes the seasoning out of salt and puts the light of a lamp under covers
8. conceals the necessity of suffering
9. obscures the God ordained purposes of suffering
10. ignores the shift of come and see in the OT to the go and tell in the NT
11. minimizes the sin that makes godliness a means of gain
12. obscures the biblical truth that God himself is the greatest treasure

Worship
-Missions is a necessity because hallowing doesn't happen.
-Missions is temporary, whereas worship will abide forever!
-Passion for worship precedes the passion for preaching. We cannot commend what we do not cherish
-The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever
-Our thought of independence of what is helpful or harmful is folly and rebellious
-When we read God passionately exalting His name, we read it as a rightful exaltation of one who is infinitely exalted and universally worthy as he pursues our deepest satisfaction in Him
-Love is helping people towards God- the greatest beauty, the highest value, the deepest satisfaction, and most overwhelming worship
-Zeal for the glory of God motivates world missions.

Prayer
-It extends the kingdom into fruitless enemy territory.
-It is for the glory of the Father.
-We need to be vigilant, watchful, and urgent in our prayers.
-It is the open admission that without God we are nothing, and we turn away from ourselves in confidence that God is powerful and will provide all we need. Repent from seeking joy in other things!
-It is for peace where people will come to the surpassing knowledge of the truth
-It proves the supremacy of God.
-It is the power that wields the weapon of the sword.
-The world cannot bury, silence, or limit Jesus. All power belongs to Him- for all things were made through and for Him.

And a tad bit on election encouraged me! It makes missions hopeful because Christ most certainly has sheep among other nations!