missions when dying is gain

http://media.desiringgod.org/audio/1996/19961027.mp3

where else would you go to hear a message like this?

i mourn that the pulpits of America are dominated by comfort-seeking, weak-willed, business-executive, crowd-pleasers who are interested in pleasing their audiences rather than pleasing their God, who believe receiving a nasty e-mail is tribulation, who seek their own safety, their own glory, their own fame, their own kingdoms on earth rather than embracing radical risk-taking for the Glory of Jesus Christ to be made known to all nations and all peoples, for HIS Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven...

why are we pleased with the gospel of America? when has the Way of Jesus ever been the path of the masses, to be found in the megachurches and magazine racks, christian music and best-sellers lists..? Luther was not a friend of the state, Calvin was not on Larry King live, and Jim Elliot was not found at book-signings... they were regarded as the scum of the earth because they did not seek the treasures the popular culture values... they sought a much greater Treasure, and when they found it, they gave up everything in their great joy to make it's value known to the world.

if you worship a Slaughtered Lamb, why does your religion promise comfort, peace, and prosperity?

thank God for Dr. John Piper.

may God fill us with radical passion for His Kingdom that defies all comfort, defies the American dream, defies the American church, and exalts His name above all things even at the cost of suffering, even at the cost of death.