“The Critical question for our generation – and for every generation – is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?
And the question for Christian leaders is: Do we preach and teach and lead in such a way that people are prepared to hear that question and answer with a resounding NO?”
– John Piper – God is the Gospel
Very challenging thoughts from John Piper. Â Especially as it relates to the good news that we proclaim. When we share our faith, what is the good news that we are offering? Fire insurance? Salvation from pain/suffering? A few more:
“Readiness for heaven means taking pleasure in beholding the Lord Jesus . . . and being change into his likeness”
Download and read the book in its entirety for free in this PDF (don’t you love John Piper and Desiring God’s generosity??).
The question I have: what does this look like in real life (for me, talking to college students)- If you just knock on a guy’s dorm room and tell him, I have the best news imaginable, you can spend your eternity gazing upon Jesus . . . how do you think that will go? ?
What do you think: In our presentation of the gospel, how do we preach Christ alone while still appealing to uninterested college students?
I think Piper gives us a hint: