A good follow-up to yesterday's post on the sermon by Matt Newkirk is this stirring word from John Stott's commentary on Rom. 1:5:
The highest of all missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God, verse 18), but rather zeal—burning and passionate zeal—for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Some evangelism, to be sure, is no better than a thinly disguised form of imperialism, whenever our real ambition is for the honour of our nation, church, organization, or ourselves. Only one imperialism is Christian, however, and that is concern for his Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire or kingdom. The earliest Christians, John tells us, went out 'for the sake of the Name.' He does not even specify to which name he is referring. But we know. And Paul tells us. It is the incomparable name of Jesus. Before this supreme goal of the Christian mission, all unworthy motives wither and die.
So, my cushy American brothers and sisters, let's get fired up for the sake of the Name and either go with passionate zeal or send with equally passionate zeal, laboring in word, deed, and prayer until the earth is covered with the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
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