Let the Nations Be Glad!
What is our motivation for missions? In Let the Nations Be Glad!, John Piper shares about the supremacy of God in missions.
Make God Supreme in Missions
At just over 300 pages, this is a thorough book that thinks through what it means to have God be at the center of missions. It is saturated with Scripture, and demonstrates Piper’s clear thinking and wit.
The book is divided into four parts, all about making God supreme in missions: (1) The Purpose, the Power, and the Price, (2) The Necessity and Nature of the Task, (3) The Practical Outworking of Compassion and Worship, and (4) Global Shifts and Wartime Living.
Piper Gems
This book is full of Piper gems. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie. “God is calling us to be conduits of his grace, not cul-de-sacs. Our great danger today is thinking that the conduit should be lined with gold. It shouldn’t. Copper will do.” And this is just in the first three chapters!
I was most impacted by the idea of living with a war-time mindset in this world. From prayer to how I spend my money, this worldview become a reality in my life. Even more, I see the importance and special calling of frontier missionaries to unreached people groups. Sending is important for those who want to see Christ return.
Challenging and Convicting
I was most moved to read of God’s wrath, the reality of Hell, and the absolute necessity of Jesus Christ for salvation. This book is meaty, with chapters that make you think long and hard at what missions really means.
The book ends with twelve appeals to prosperity preachers. You cannot rationalize the prosperity Gospel after reading this book. Suffering is necessary and purposeful in the Christian life. It is challenging and convicting.
Reach Others for Jesus
Published by Baker Academic, “the 30th anniversary edition features a deluxe hardcover binding” and “incorporates insights from Piper’s refined thinking over the past 10 years.” This beautiful edition would make the perfect gift for a graduate, pastor, or missions-minded friend.
This book is not just for missionaries. This book is for pastors. This book is for worship leaders. It is for the regular Christian, young and old, who wants to be involved in God’s work. It is a must-read for readers of John Piper, and the first book I would recommend for anyone who wants to reach others for Jesus.
I received a media copy of Let the Nations be Glad! and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.